Prayas, in its submission before the Madhav Godbole energy review committee, strongly pleaded that the in-depth scrutiny of legality and clearances demonstrated that the contractual obligations claimed by the DPC are not binding. "Thus the project which is not affordable is not needed for the state," it added.

Prayas strongly criticised the DPC and the MSEB for non-submission of financing agreements for phase-II, the worksheet tariff calculation model, evidence of financial closure and clearances to it depsite the necessary directives from the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission.

"In the interest of transparency, the experience of earlier committee, and the long-term interest of the state and the people of Maharashtra, it is imperative that the committee insist on complete disclosure of all relevant facts, documents, arrangements, analyses and all data related to this subject," Prayas director Girish Sant told The Financial Express. Emiritus professor of the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research Kirit Parikh and Tata Energy Research Insitute director RK Pachauri remained absent for the second consecutive day on Tuesday. However, the meeting was attended by Dr Godbole, Housing Development Finance Corporation chairman Deepak Parekh, former union power secretary EAS Sarma, member-secretary Vinay Mohan Lal and a battery of MSEB officials led by its chairman Vinay Bansal.

Mr Sant said the option of allowing sale of Dabhol power to a third party would not work as power is surplus in several states and most state electricity boards could in any case not afford its power. According to him, there would be major legal and contractual problems and the third-party sale within Maharashtra would not benefit the MSEB.

Mr Sant suggested the Dabhol project can be delayed by more than three years. Further, he stressed the need for reduction in tariff, delinking of dollar and cut in offtake. Moreover, the Mumbai Grahak Panchayat demanded that the Dabhol project should be acquired compulsorily by Central or state governments. An activist Abhay Mehta, who has edited the book Power Play, and veteran socialist leaders PB Samant and Mrinal Gore in a separate presentation before the Godbole panel, questioned the validity of the Dabhol project's PPA. In addition to this, nearly eight trade unions of the MSEB demanded the cancellation of the project and announced that March 1 would be observed as the "anti-Enron day" by the employees the state over, wearing black badges.